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Simferopol, the Capital of Crimea – Simferopol City Guide

Simferopol is known as the capital and biggest city of Crimea. Every year millions of tourists go through this city to the Crimean resorts, such as Yalta, Sevastopol and Evpatoria. Today Crimea belongs to Ukraine and is its most southern region. After the collapse of the USSR in 1991, former Soviet Republics declared their independence, new countries emerged and Ukraine was one of them.

Simferopol is a pretty old, ancient city. Different civilizations occupied the area where the city is now situated over centuries. Finally, the city of Simferopol was founded by Russians in 1885. In old Greek Simferopol means a city of common good, or city-collector. The city was involved in many wars and battles during its long history. During the Second World War the Crimean region was tormented by the Nazi Germany. They took occupation of the city and used it as a strong base to withstand many attacks. Really, the history of this city is so rich! There is a number of historical attractions and artifacts which makes Simferopol a popular tourist destination for many tourists visiting it every year.

At present the total population of Simferopol is reported to be around four hundred thousand people. Administratively, the city is divided into 3 divisions. Due to its central location on the Crimean peninsula, it is a convenient place for many industries and facilities. Food and engineering industries are the two key ones that were developed in the city years ago, in the Soviet time. However more business is being established here today and the economics of the city keeps growing.

Simferopol has always been a cultural and educational center of the Crimea region. There are several Universities and many more colleges in the city. It is not surprising that Simferopol is called a student city sometimes. This city is also known with its famous theaters, such as the Crimean Academic Russian Drama Theater, Simferopol Puppet Theater and Crimean Ukrainian Music Theater. The city’s main public transport system consists of trolleys and buses that run throughout the city and connect the central area with suburbs. The Simferopol International Airport in the only one in Crimea. Different Ukrainian and international airlines have daily flights to Simferopol from Kiev, Moscow, Istanbul, and in summertime Simferopol is also connected with Germany, Israel, Armenia, Latvia, Uzbekistan and other countries. The majority of tourists get to Simferopol by train through. This transportation remains the most popular one in Ukraine due to affordable prices and a decent level of comfort the trains provide.

Since Simferopol is the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city is responsible for the administrative duties related to the special administrative status of Crimea within Ukraine. The Parliament of Crimea as well as the Cabinet of Ministers and other administrative institutions of the Crimean Republic are situated in Simferopol. Although Crimea has the status of a republic, the Crimean Parliament is subordinate to the Supreme Parliament of Ukraine which is situated in Kiev, the capital city of Ukraine.

Today Simferopol is a political, administrative, educational and cultural center of Crimea and of the whole Southern region of Ukraine as well as a popular tourist destination.